OK.
I'm embarrassed to share what I'm about to share...but can't escape God's prompting to share the spiritual application I experienced to a very practical situation.
Are you ready??? Hear goes...
Last week, I went with my daughter to Orlando for her middle school chorus field trip. I prepared for many things: band aids for cuts, Advil for headaches, little extras like energy drinks for the exhausting hours ahead...but...the LAST thing I expected or prepared against was intimidation.
NOT intimidation of the monstrous rip riding roller coasters or even the responsibility of helping several other mothers chaperon 150 middle schoolers...NO...my INTIMIDATION was the result of a few 12-14 year old middle school girls.
For a brief moment I cowered to their "size me up" glances. Can you believe it? As a forty-two year old woman, I felt insecure to the junior high judge me club. I mean REALLY?
Then, reality hit me. These little girls simply imitated what they witnessed from the world. They had no sway over my worth. They couldn't define my value. They were powerless over my emotions and had no say in my eternity...
Fast forward a few days...to today.
I awoke this morning with a feeling of intimidation.
The enemy whispered imminent defeat. For a brief moment, I felt like cowering to his "size me up" glances. I felt insecure...intimidated...unsettled.
Then, just like before, reality hit me.
"Be self-controlled and alert. (WHY?) Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11, NIV)
Friends, the enemy of our soul has no sway over our worth. He can't define our value. He is powerless over our eternity. His size me up glances are powerless before our GOD!
When we realize "Whose" we are...we can face every trial with confidence.
Hear who God is and the promises He's given in Psalm 145:17-20, "The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him." (NIV)
You are NOT alone. The enemy's tactic to intimidate is powerless to God's promises. So...don't focus on your ability rather remember WHO GOD says you are and what HE SAYS you will do!
So timely as I love on my 21 year old who is dealing with similar struggles...thanks for obeying again, Julie. Isn't God great...thankful He uses each part of His body! HUG!
ReplyDeleteLove it... needed it @ 49. <3 you for your obedience to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteShari Johnson
www.theJesuschick.com
Julie,
ReplyDeleteThis message is SO Timely...for All Ages!!! I am the Mom of two Beautiful young Ladies, ages 26 and 20. They are still at home, and I am planning on writing a book, due to what all has been a challenge for them in their Growing Years! What you shared is an epidemic of a Major Proportion! As Titus 2 Women our jobs are laid out before us, but I find my struggles are the results of how the other mom's have Mothered...due to How they were Mothered. Children usually only do what they see/hear from others!
Great Word!
I can relate to both parts of your story. Glad I'm not the only one. Thank you for sharing your "embarrassment" - which really is a blessing testimony :)
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeletePowerful post. If we, as adults, can be intimidated by middle schoolers who behave so condescendingly to others, think what they are doing to others of their peer group. I know that one of our three was hurt very deeply by other kids in her school like this. She had an awful struggle for years. Intimidation is a powerful force, and we need God's strength to deal with it, at middle school or in any other place we encounter it. I'm thankful that God gives us a spirit of strength ... if we will only trust and tap into it. Good post.
Amen I love this post thank you!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I searched something in Google needing some words of encouragement and this came up. This was spot on. I was dealing with more envy than intimidation, but this was just as applicable! Thank you so much!!! P.S. i'm sure those girls just wondered what you had that made you shine and wanted to be like you!! ;)
ReplyDelete